Chapter 66: Rapid-Learning Magic

"Of course. I’m planning to abstract copper coins into something called work points—basically a point system," Phield said. "You just add or subtract numbers next to a person’s name. No need to hand out real money."

"After all, money can be stolen. Work points can’t."

Phield spread his hands. "Once someone accumulates points equal to the value of a gold coin, they can earn a pardon from slavery and become a free citizen. And later, when the territory has more supplies, work points can be exchanged for extra bread, daily necessities, or whatever else we decide. For a better life, they’ll work hard on their own."

"Hiss—" Tate sucked in a sharp breath, visibly shaken. "That’s right. As long as we keep records, strong slaves can’t steal anything. And since points are only awarded for individual work and calculated on the spot, there’s no way for the strong to seize them."

Phield was about to end the discussion when he suddenly remembered how the ban on public defecation had previously failed.

"No—there it is again," Phield said, slapping his forehead. "That bad habit of being too civilized and too kind."

"Work points will be a long-term goal. We’ll roll it out slowly, step by step."

"First, have the security force crack down hard on gang activity. Encourage informants. Anyone caught committing crimes—confiscate their property, flog them publicly, then send them to the harshest labor assignments and work them to the bone." Phield tapped the desk lightly with his finger.

If hanging people harmed population numbers, then punishment plus forced labor would have to do.

"Your sense of justice is... astonishing," Tate said, trembling slightly. He couldn’t help but think that coming to Nightfall Domain might have been the best decision he’d ever made.

"Go carry it out. I’ll be monitoring everything in real time."

After Tate left, Phield went to find Ashina. He wanted to discuss the Investigation Corps with her.

"Rosalia isn’t back yet. You come first—I need to talk to you," Phield said, pulling Ashina into the room.

"Huh? In broad daylight, you already want to—" Ashina’s voice grew smaller and smaller until she covered her face entirely.

"Yes. Leisure is wasted time," Phield said seriously. "Perfect opportunity to study magic."

He took a quick-cast spellbook from the shelf and handed it to her. "Can you use this? Or copy it?"

Ashina flipped through it once, then shook her head. "I can’t copy or use it. This is a Divine Chosen creation, just like a divine artifact. But you—or others—might be able to learn it. Do you want to try?"

"So even the Church’s mist-dispelling lamps and purification potions are Divine Chosen products," Phield muttered. "No wonder they’re so expensive."

He looked disappointed. "No one in the territory has magic aptitude. Looks like it’ll just sit there and look pretty for now."

Ashina smiled softly, her tone indulgent. "But because it is a Divine Chosen creation, divine power can drive it. If you just want to play around, I can lend you a bit. You should be able to cast it yourself."

"You can lend it?" Phield was stunned. "Then wouldn’t that make me a grand mage?"

"No," Ashina replied, shaking her head. "Divine power can only be transmitted to a contractor, and even then, it’s extremely weak. It’s nothing like Rosalia sharing mana. You’ll understand once you try—it’s less than one percent of a first-tier mage’s power."

Ashina rose onto her toes and sat on Phield’s desk, her feet lightly hooking her slippers. Even through white stockings, the soft pink of her soles was impossible to hide. The perfect arch traced a delicate, bony curve.

"Don’t blame me if you’re disappointed, my lord," she said teasingly. "You should pick a spellbook with very low energy consumption."

Phield stared at her, momentarily stunned.

Ashina was getting bolder and bolder. When he first bought her, she barely dared to sit on the floor to eat. Now she was sitting on his desk.

Give it a little more time and she’d probably be sitting on his face.

...Which honestly wouldn’t be bad.

"I won’t blame you," Phield said calmly.

"Then... okay." Ashina’s wolf ears twitched mischievously. Feeling playful, she sighed and said in a helpless yet enticing tone, "But to transfer divine power, you have to kiss me."

The moment the words left her mouth, Ashina’s face burned red. She stuck out her tongue and waved her hands frantically, trying to cool down.

Oh no—what did I just say?!

She immediately regretted it.

"No problem!"

I’ve been waiting for that line.

Phield stood up at once and strode straight toward her.

"W–wait! I was joking—!" Ashina’s fur practically stood on end. She was fairly conservative; she only dared tease Phield because he usually indulged her so much.

Phield ignored her protests. He pinned her hands, and his other hand began moving over her instinctively. The sensation was... good.

Then came the kiss.

Soft lips. Sweet taste.

Not some exaggerated metaphor from a knightly romance—there really was a hint of sweetness.

Warm breath brushed against his face, comfortable and intoxicating.

Whether Ashina was stunned into stillness or afraid of losing control and hurting him, she simply kept her eyes shut, trembling slightly.

Knock, knock, knock.

"My lord, I’m here to fix the floor. You ordered it this morning," Paul’s voice came from outside the door. Ever since Phield dragged him to Nightfall Domain, all carpentry work in the camp had fallen to him.

"No time. Come back tomorrow," Phield snapped.

Paul nearly jumped out of his skin at the terrifying tone. Sounds of frantic retreat followed.

Ashina was startled as well. Seizing the moment, she wriggled free from Phield’s arms, her face flushed crimson.

"Next time! Let’s talk about divine power instead!"

"No." Phield was visibly annoyed.

"Please spare me. I was joking. Divine power transfer doesn’t require that at all!"

Ashina had nearly suffocated just now—though somehow, it had felt dangerously addictive.

Phield froze. "Then... where do you have to kiss?"

"Nowhere! Nowhere at all! My lord, you’re such a pervert!" Ashina covered her face shyly.

"...Fine. I’ll let you go."

A Divine Chosen contract was far more binding than marriage anyway. There was no rush.

Ashina reached out and tapped Phield’s forehead. A stream of pure power surged into him, carrying terrifying pressure. Phield’s vision filled with the image of a snow-covered mountain, so heavy it stole his breath.

The pressure vanished in an instant.

Phield came back to his senses only to find himself drenched in sweat.

"That’s all I can give," Ashina said worriedly, seeing his exhausted expression. Her knowledge came from inheritance—actual practice always had uncertainties. "Are you alright?"

It was only a trace of divine power—but enough to drive the quick-cast magic. Beyond that, it was useless for anything else.

Phield took out Winged Beast Empathy and let a drop of blood fall onto it. The spellbook immediately flipped open on its own as strange runes burst into radiant light.

Phield instantly grasped the technique of Winged Beast Empathy, as if it were innate. He didn’t understand the meaning of the runes—but he knew how to activate them.

"I’m going to try it right now."